Therapeutic electrode



March 13, 1934. FLH. EWERHARDT ETAL 1,950,788

THERAPEUTIC ELECTRODE Filed 00?" 10, 1930 FIQA INYENTORS :U: W

ATTORNEY I 1,950,788 PATENT, OFFICE THERAPEUTIC ELECTRODE mm. 11. Ewerhardt, St. Louis, Mo., and Francis B. Zener, Portland, 0reg., assixnors to General Electric X-Ray Corporation, Chicago, 111., a cor- V ppration of New York Application October 10, 193i], Serial No. 487,668

3 Claims. (Cl. 17489) The present invention has to do with an electrode, and has particularly to do with a type of device for therapeutic treatment and particularly for facilitating the application of electrical currents of various characteristics to affected internal parts. In some respects the invention resembles a speculum, and for want of a better term oi description, the device may be termed an electrode speculum or a speculum electrode.

The apparatus is intended primarily for the application of high frequency currents to the cervix, or like partsof the human body.

In the treatment of diseases, such as the socalled social diseases, and particularly gonorrhea,

" it has recently been developed that the application of a low heat to the affected parts overan extended period of time has a greater curative influence than any form of treatment heretofore suggested. The most efficient method of heating affected parts is by the application to such parts of high frequency electrical currents.

Considerable difficulty has been encountered in the treatment of gonorrhea in the female patient. To apply heat to the cervix, except over small areas thereof, has been dififlcult. Further, the type of electrode now conventional for such pur poses gives a very poor contact while covering a relatively small surface of the cervix, with the result that the amount of heat which may be applied to the parts by high frequency currents is relatively small. Ii the amperage oi the current is increased, the area covered by the electrode will become unduly heated resulting in actuel burning or great discomfort to the patient.

None of the heretofore suggested methods for the treatment of gonorrhea in the femal cervix have permitted 0)? an accurate measurement of the heat generated in the tissues and in fact, the thermometer used has generally responded, not to the heat oi the tissue but to the direct heat oi the electrode.

The present invention, therefore, has for its objects, an improved speculum; an improved combination of electrode and speculum a unique electrode; a unique device. adapted to engage the external walls of the cervix firmly for for use in the application of heat to the cervix and which permits of the insertion of a thermometer into the cervical canal to determine the temperature of the part itself; and

An improved device for the application of high frequency currents to the ce'wical tract and permitting of a comparison of the temperatures in the cervical canal, urethra and rectum.

A further object of the invention is a new and improved type of speculum.

These objects, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, are obtained by the novel construction, unique arrangement, and improved combination of elements in the invention, one form of which is illustrated 'in the accompanying drawing, hereby made a part of this specification, and in which:-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device with its wings closed.

Figure 2' is a longitudinal section therethrough with the wings shown fragmentarily, and with two of the wings broken away.

Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line 33 of Figure l.

Figure e is a perspective view, in reduced size,

of a belt electrode which may be used in conjunction with the speculum electrode.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the female body indicating the applicationof the apparatus and concurrently showing the use of thermometers for obtaining a comparison of tissue temperatures.

Like reference characters are used to designate similar parts in the drawing and in the description ofthe invention which is given hereinafter.

In the single form shown, theapparatus comprises a cylindrical tube of suitable diameter and having a length several times such diameter.

This tube is designated by the ordinal 10; From the internal end thereof, a plurality, of hinges 11 project. These may comprise any suitable form and may be secured to the cylinder 10 in any desired manner but in geometrically regular spaced relation. Depending from the hinges ii are wings 12 and arranged at one side of each wing is a stud or boss 13. may be integral with cylinder 10 and the other integral with wing 12, when desired. Said hinges 11 may be so arranged that they provide a stop for a cylindrical collar 15 which collar snugly fits the inside of the tube 10 but not so snugly as to provide serious frictional interference.

The wings 12 are generally spoon shaped with their greatest width adjacent to their internal ends, which end: are of themselves rounded.

Upon said collar 15 are a plurality of studs 16 equally spaced apart. Intermediate the studs 13 on the wings 12 and the studs -16 on the col-= lar 15 are links 17. Said links 17 are pivotally connected at their opposite ends by screws, xivets or other means, to a wing stud l3 and a collar stud 16. Within the cylinder there is disposed a bracket 18 which has a flange 19 snugly engaging the internal wall of the cylinder 10 and by which flange through the medium of screws or other fastening means the bracket 18 is secured to the wall of said cylinder l0. Thereis Cine part of the hinges ll said aperture the end of a connecting wire or conduit, (not shown).

As said sleeve 15 is moved up and down the cylinder 10 by the rotation of the shaft 21, the links 17 are forced inwardly or outwardly to expand or retract the wings 12. The wings 12 may be arranged so that one pair at opposite sides nests within the other pair, which are normal thereto, providing a compact instrumental- .ity when the wings 12 are in folded position and giving to the wing end of the device a somewhat pointed construction. When expanded the wings 12, from tip to tip, have a diameter several times the diameter of the tube 10.

For insertion, the wings 12 are retracted to their internal limit. As previously indicated,

such retraction produces a rather compact arrangement somewhat pointed. The general diameter of the folded wings 12 is not greater, or more than slightly greater, than the diameter of the tube 10. This compactness aids in the ready insertion of the instrumentality.

When the device has been partially inserted, and the wings 12 are within the vaginal tract, said wings should be expanded to permit of further insertion and to obtain such expansion, the shaft 21 is rotated in a direction to expand the wings 12 so that the cervical tract may be plainly seen. The physician may then guide the further insertion of the apparatus in such a manner that the tips of the wings 12 force back the flesh about the lower ends of the cervix. The device may be centered over the cervix in this manner as it is pressed inwardly further.

When the instrumentality is inserted the desired depth, the shaft 21 is operated to retract the wings 12, the tips of the wings thus being made to compress the external wall of the cervix and to form thereon a clamp or ring. Because of the spoon shape of the wings. a large area about the mouth of the cervix may be contacted and compressed with the wings 12. The wings 12 are tightened by use of shaft 21 until-a secure contact is obtained.

Thereafter the belt 30 may be placed upon the patient which belt is generally placed about the patient's abdomen and preferably over-the lower portion thereof. I

Thermometers 31, 32, and 33, respectively, are then inserted in the cervical canal, in the urethra, and in the rectum. Conduits (not shown) from a source of high frequency electromotive force are next connected, one to the belt 30 and the other to the enlarged end 25 of the shaft 21, and electromotive force of a selected amperage is impressed over the desired period.

It is possible for a physician to keep a close watch over the temperature of the body, as well as note' the cervical temperature, the urethral temperature, and the rectal'temperature, and at the same time watch the pulse. A high frequency energization for twenty to thirty minutes may be had satisfactorily. after which there is a r a threaded boss 20 forming an integral portio The treatment should then end when this disturbance is noted.

In the arrangement here described, it is possible to supply electrical currents of greater milliamperage than has heretofore been possible or practicable. The cervical temperature may be made to attain approximately 111 Fahrenheit and this may be maintained over a period of, say, fifteen .to twenty minutes with no disturbing derangement of other body temperatures.

The treatment described, while founded upon the electrode hereinabove described, does not necessarily have to be conducted with such an electrode. One of the novelties disclosed in the present device, resides in providing upon and about the cervix a large surface for electrical contact therewith. This area of contact might be attained by other means than the specific instrumentality shown.

The invention resides in part, also, in the provision of a member or electrode adapted to closely engage the cervix externally leaving the cervical canal open for the ready insertion of a thermometer or other instrument.

We claim: I

1. A vaginal speculum comprising a tubular member, wings hinged to one end of said tubular member and adapted to be pressed about the mouth of the cervix, each of said wings being tongue-shaped, dished and having a transverse dimension equalling approximately ninety degrees of the periphery of said tubular member, and means for decreasing and increasing the angular relation of said wings, pursuant to pressing and releasing said mouth, and said wings when adapted for dilation of the vagina while surrounding said mouth.

2. A vaginal speculum comprising a tubular support, wings of conductive material hingedly secured to said support and adapted to be pressed about the mouth of the cervix and ex panded therefrom, said wings being tongueshaped, dished, and of an arcuate contour corresponding to approximately ninety degrees of said tubular member, the ends of said wings being but slightly rounded, and means for controlling the angular relation of said wings to said tubular member pursuant to pressing and releasing said cervix mouth, said controlling means providing a path for the'flow of electrical energy to said wings.

3. An electrode for use upon the cervix comprising two pairs of opposed wings, each of said wings: being tongue-shaped, dished, and ofconductive material, a tubular member, there hinges between said tubular member and said wings, a member of conductive material telescoping in said tubular member, connecting members of conductive material comprising links between each of said wings and said telescoping member, and a binding post mounted in said tubular memher, said post being keyed in said tubular memher and threaded into said telescoping member whereby said post isadapted for moving said i telescopic member to positively control, the angular position of said wings, the said wings providing a unipolar device having a large area for use as a surface electrode.

FRANK H. EWERHARDT. FRANCIS B. ZENER. 

